Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Archipelago’s Soldiers Held

Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Archipelago's Soldiers Held
Ly Son district is currently home to two festivals named national intangible cultural heritages, Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Soldiers and Tu Linh boat racing festival. Photo: VNA

The “Le khao le the linh Hoang Sa” (Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Soldiers) took place at An Vinh communal house in Ly Son district, the central province of Quang Ngai, on May 5 or 16th days of the third lunar month, reported VNA.

The event is to pay tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives over the centuries guarding the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly).

It has been observed through over 400 years by communities on Ly Son island and many coastal areas in the province. It was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the State in 2013.

Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Archipelago's Soldiers Held
The “Le khao le the linh Hoang Sa” (Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Soldiers) took place at An Vinh communal house in Ly Son district on May 5. Photo: VNA

During the rituals, paper boats with effigies of sailors are launched into the seas and respects are paid to the lost sailors’ symbolic tombs.

According to Vietnam’s feudal state history, the Hoang Sa Flotilla was set up in 17th century when the Nguyen Lords began their reign in the south of the country.

Thousands of sailors braved roaring waves and storms to survey sea routes, plant markers and erect steles affirming the national sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa. These areas were secured marine resources under the order of the Nguyen Lords. Their missions were full of danger, and many of them never returned to land.

Therefore, before the soldiers left for their missions, a feast was held for them, hence the beginning of the tradition.

Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Archipelago's Soldiers Held
Paper boats with effigies of sailors are launched into the seas and respects are paid to the lost sailors’ symbolic tombs. Photo: VNA

The festival reflects Vietnam’s history of protecting the national sovereignty in the East Sea, especially over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa.

After the commemoration on the day, the Tu Linh boat race was held to pray for a year of favourable weather and bumper catches ahead. The festival is called Tu Linh because the racing boats are decorated with symbolic shapes of the quartet of mythological creatures in Vietnam’s traditions and beliefs including the dragon, qilin, tortoise, and phoenix.

Ly Son island, 30km off the coast of Quang Ngai province, covers an area of less than 10 sq.km but it has nearly 100 relics, most of which are related to the Hoang Sa Flotilla, such as the empty graves built for Hoang Sa soldiers who never returned to land, the temples dedicated to Pham Quang Anh and Vo Van Khiet who were captains of the Hoang Sa Flotilla, and a showroom displaying the items of the Hoang Sa Flotilla sailors who also controlled Bac Hai and Ba Ri Lagoon.

A monument and memorial house dedicated to the Hoang Sa Flotilla stand near the main road of the island.

Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Archipelago's Soldiers Held
The event includes a ritual of releasing model wooden boats carrying soldiers and sailors out to sea. Photo: VNA

According to old documents, the Tu Linh (four mythological creatures – dragon, qilin, tortoise, phoenix) boat racing festival on Ly Son Island was first held in 1826.

It takes place around the Lunar New Year festival to pray for good weather, bumper crops, and peace. It is also meant to pay tribute to ancestors who explored this land, as well as the then Hoang Sa flotilla that planted sovereignty markers on Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes frequently.

Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Archipelago's Soldiers Held
After the commemoration on the day, a boat race was held to pray for a year of favorable weather and bumper catches ahead. Source: Quang Ngai newspaper
Hannah Nguyen

The post Feast and Commemoration Festival for Hoang Sa Archipelago’s Soldiers Held appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

View more from VietExplorer:

Hungting clouds in Lao Than peak, new adventurous destination
Top delicacies in Hai Phong that you shouldn’t miss
Captivating allure of Binh Lieu, northern Vietnam
Chu Lai Airport temporarily closed for repairs after Storm Molave
Kayaking service rolls out new way to discover Trang An complex
Agro-forestry-fisheries posts 7.9 bln USD trade surplus
October index of industrial production continues to rise
Supporting business promotes economic growth
Exploring the story of Ha Giang in watering season from local Meo people
Newly-formed storm Goni is expected to enter the East Sea in the next few days
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Vietnam
November cultural activities highlight Great Unity – National Root in Hanoi
UK donates 500,000 pounds to help flood victims in Vietnam
FE Credit donates VND100 million to Saigon Times-Great Circle program
Da Nang to offer free admission at cultural attractions in 2021
How to Get Good at SCR888?
VND1-billion picture reflects love, unity among entrepreneurs
Flowers of rocks
Around 350 Vietnamese citizens from Australia and New Zealand repatriated home
What is the difference between “hurricane” and “typhoon”?

Nhận xét

Đăng nhận xét

Bài đăng phổ biến từ blog này

Hanoi Among Top 10 Most Romantic Destinations in Asia

Hình ảnh
Hanoi is Vietnam’s historic and vibrant capital and it is known for the various rivers, lakes, and mountains that run beside and around it. Scattered around are tourist attractions that are very appealing because of the lush regions full of streams, rivers, and mountains, such as Tam Dao, Con Son, Kiep Bac, and so on. It has mostly recovered from decades of conflict and is currently experiencing a development boom, making it a fast-expanding metropolis in Southeast Asia . Photo: Meogiaphoto There is no better way for you to capture a memory than through the beauty of a photograph. Pictures will give you something to cherish and remember from your time together. Hanoi offers various photogenic spots, where will witness the enrichment of your magical romance. A postcard can be an equally romantic gesture – there are so many attractive landmarks around Hanoi and a hand-written message is one of the most romantic things you can do to stay in contact with someone far away. H...
Đọc thêm

Promoting Hanoi Old Quarter’s rich heritage through an exhibition

Hình ảnh
Hang Gai Ward People’s Committee, in collaboration with curator Nguyen The Son and Young Artists Group “ From Tradition to Tradition ,” presents the thematic exhibition “The Story of the Street’s Communal House” at Ha Vi and Tu Thi Communal Houses in downtown Hanoi. The Parade celebrates the opening of thematic exhibitions at Hanoi’s Ha Vi and Tu Thi community houses. Photo: Cong Luan Newspaper The cultural event aims to celebrate the 18th anniversary of Vietnam’s Cultural Heritage Day, which falls on November 23, and the Hanoi People’s Committee’s recognition of the Hoan Kiem Lake area – its surroundings and the Old Quarter of Hanoi – as a city-level tourism zone. The exhibition features a variety of Hanoi’s traditional handicrafts, such as silk, lacquer, and hand embroidery, as well as sketches and photographs of Hanoi, among others. In addition, the new collection of brand identities of  Ha Vi  and Tu Thi Communal Houses will also be launched. By scanning t...
Đọc thêm

Promoting Cuba to the Youth: Efforts of HCM City’s Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association

Hình ảnh
The Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association’s chapter in Ho Chi Minh City (VCFA HCMC) will continue to promote people-to-people diplomacy activities to increase understanding between the people of Vietnam and Cuba as well as between HCM City and Cuban localities in particular, contributing to further intensifying the special relations between the two countries. This orientation was approved at the third congress of the association for the 2023-2028 tenure held in HCM City on December 28, VNA reported. Truong Thi Hien, chair of the Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City for the 2023 – 2028 term, spoke at the congress. Photo: HUFO Accordingly, the VCFA HCMC will focus on promoting communication activities, including setting up a YouTube channel named “Cuba – The Beautiful Island”, to introduce the country and people of Cuba to people from all walks of life, especially young people, and the importance of the Vietnam-Cuba relations in the new situation. A...
Đọc thêm